Pick Up A Super Bowl Safety Kit, Get Gift Cards

Editor's Note: This information is from the Solon Police Department.

The Solon Police Department and the Cuyahoga County Safe Communities Coalition are encouraging Super Bowl fans to get their game day plan together before enjoying the big game. "We want all community members to enjoy the football game," says Sgt. Hofmann, “but we also want them to return home safely. Making the decision to not drink and drive or find a safe ride home is the best choice.”

To help hosts prevent impaired driving on Super Bowl Sunday, will provide “game day party hosting” kits, while supplies last. Each kit includes:

• a football shaped bowl for guests’ keys,
• a recipe guide with great non-alcoholic drinks,
• five drink coasters
• a $5.00 Giant Eagle gift card,
• and a $5.00 Ace Taxi voucher. 

These kits will be available at the Solon Police Department, 33000 Solon Road. 

“As a party host, you are responsible for the actions of your guests,” notes Sgt. Hofmann. You can be held civilly liable if someone leaves your party, gets behind the wheel, and hurts themselves or someone else in a crash. Remember, someone does not have to be heavily intoxicated to be impaired—impairment can begin with the first drink. Driving skills and abilities are impaired in most people long before they exhibit visible signs of drunkenness.

When hosting an event where alcohol is served, take steps to keep your guests safe:

1. Reassure your guests who don't want to drink that they can still have fun. Don't force drinks on your guests or rush to refill their glasses right away.

2. Always serve food, especially high-protein foods like cheese and meats that stay in the stomach longer, slowing down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.

3. Avoid mixing alcohol with carbonated beverages because carbonation increases the speed that the body absorbs alcohol.

4. Have non-alcoholic drinks available.

5. Stop serving alcohol two hours before the party is over, but continue serving non-alcoholic drinks and food. Be aware that this two-hour wait is not enough time for most people to clear all the alcohol from their system.

6. DON'T LET PEOPLE DRINK AND DRIVE. Car pooling and cabs can save lives. It's the responsibility of EVERYONE (especially the party host) to stop drinkers from driving.

7. Last, but far from least, make sure that all your guests know how you feel about drinking and driving.

The kits are provided in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Safe Communities Coalition, State Farm Insurance, Budweiser and Ace Taxi.